When I was a kid growing up in my Grandfather's
home, I was amazed at how he had a vocabulary superior to my school teachers,
how he could add, subtract, multiply and divide without the use of a pencil
and paper, he could figure algebra and spell words that I couldn't and
he quit school in the eight grade to help his father earn a living for
a family of twelve. He also had an understanding of the Constitution of
the United States and a belief that he should do unto others, as he would
have them do unto him. He couldn't speak English until he started learning
our language in the first grade. My grandfather was born in 1865 and in
those days, kids got an education. Not so in our modern public schools
today.

Today our children go to school to learn how to
take the "Habitat Heroes Pledge" so they can preserve the wild
places that birds, animals and plants call home. They can help save the
planet by recycling an aluminum can a day. Today their educational materials
are now governed by an intricate set of rules to screen out language and
topics that might be considered controversial or offensive. Instead of
the basic 3-R's our curriculum is loaded with lessons about the social
and health aspects of their lives. Health clinics offer contraceptives
to pupils, AIDS awareness seminars that provide explicit descriptions
of sex acts and plans that teach elementary students acceptance of same-sex
partners. Our children are being cheated out of an education but are being
well trained in the way of social reform programs.

Berit Kjos calls this "Character Training
for Global Citizens" and tells us our schools are challenging
the student's fixed beliefs and inhibitions. Our children are forced to
think the unthinkable and visualize the forbidden - until sensuality has
replaced Christianity in their minds and hearts."

The problem is that our school districts just don't
have enough money and our teachers are underpaid. NOT! Most of our students
attend schools in multimillion-dollar buildings and most teachers bring
home a very substantial paycheck. In fact, it seems as though the more
money spent in a school district the dumber the graduates. According to
an article in "The School Choice Advocate" by Mike Antonucci
the District of Columbia public school have a unique distinction as measured
by the National Assessment of Educational Progress tests. They ranked
last in math for both fourth and eight grades... by a wide margin. These
scores might be explained by a large racial-ethnic minority enrollment,
except the DC Public Schools still rank last when the scores are controlled
for race and ethnicity. All of DC's schools are inner-city schools, except
they still rank last when the scores are controlled for location and family
income. The district however ranks as one of the highest in the nation
in spending.

The district spends $14,525 on each student, which
is $2,500 more per student than the amount spent in New York, which has
the second highest scores. Last year the average DC teacher made $48,704
making them the highest paid teachers in the nation. As long as there
is a Department of Education controlling our public schools, nothing is
going to change. Frustrated parents can only pull their kids out of the
system and put them in private schools or teach them at home. F. R. Duplantier
says it best: Johnny's schooling has been all for naught - When he
doesn't know half that he ought. If he barely can read, but know how to
breed. Can you guess what Johnny's been taught?

Derry Brownfield was born in 1932 and grew up
during the depression. He is a farmer and a broadcaster. Derry attended
the College of Agriculture at the University of Missouri where he received
his B.S. and M.S. degrees. He taught Vocational Agriculture several years
before going to work as a Marketing Specialist with the Missouri Department
of Agriculture. Derry served as Director of the Kansas City Livestock
Market Foundation at the Kansas City Stockyard prior to establishing himself
in farm broadcasting.

Derry started farming when he was 16 years old
and received the Future Farmers of America State Farmer degree in 1949.
Since that time the Brownfield Farm has grown to over 1000 acres maintaining
a herd of 200 registered Charolias cows.

In 1972, Derry and his partner established the
Brownfield Network which now serves 250 radio stations throughout the
Midwest with news and market information.In 1994, Derry started his own
syndicated radio talk show and he is one of the most popular radio talk
show hosts in America. The Derry Brownfield Show can be heard on approximately
80 radio stations in 23 states. With his entertaining sense of humor and
witty commentary he has captured audiences for over 30 years. His ability
to present an informative talk show while being light and colorful is
why he has a large loyal listening audience.

Derry Brownfield is a practical farmer, a practical
business man and a very entertaining speaker. He travels extensively throughout
the country speaking about his common-sense point of view. Web Site: www.derrybrownfield.com